'Carry this community': PAL graduates tout resilience as they collect diplomas

Twenty-one Project for Alternative Learning graduates walked across the Helena Middle School stage on Friday with smiles, tears and laughter.

There were 28 total graduates for the PAL class of 2026, but the 21 present heard a speech from keynote speaker and Helena Education Foundation Executive Director Becca Leaphart.

She gave the graduates three ideas to keep in mind as they move forward in their lives.

"One of the things that makes up your identities is something that you all share: you are all phoenixes," Leaphart said.

She said their mascot was a sunbird — a symbol that has endured throughout history as a sign of resilience.

The second thing she discussed was that they were all capable of change and how that related to the phoenix.

"The third thing that I want to remind the PAL graduates is that you know what community looks like," she said. "... And the transition we are all here marking today is a big change. ... But you will get to carry this community with you."

After Leaphart's speech, graduates walked across the stage inside the auditorium, shook hands with school officials, smiled as they grabbed their diplomas and hugged those who helped them throughout their journey to the end of high school.

PAL recognized its graduates by presenting a slideshow of the graduates throughout their time at the school. They then got to turn their tassels.

The slideshow received laughs, applause and joking groans from the graduates upon seeing themselves in school over the years.

Multiple awards were also given to select students who received grants and scholarships for their educational journeys ahead.